Residence following traumatic brain injury: a longitudinal study

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Public Health

Background:

• Traumatic brain injury (TBI) significantly impacts individuals' lives, including their living arrangements.
• Understanding residential changes post-TBI is crucial for effective rehabilitation and support services.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate changes in residence after traumatic brain injury (TBI).
• To identify predictors of residential status change, including preinjury living situation, demographics, and injury characteristics.

Main Methods:

• Prospective, observational study of 7925 patients with moderate to severe TBI undergoing acute rehabilitation.
• Residential status assessed preinjury, at discharge, and 1, 2, and 5 years post-TBI via telephone interviews.
• Key variables included injury severity, demographics, and functional status.

Main Results:

• Significant residential changes occurred post-TBI, with most transitions happening within the first year.
• Preinjury residence was the strongest predictor of post-TBI living situation.
• Increasing age and white race were associated with more independent living; higher functional status at discharge also predicted more independent residence.

Conclusions:

• 35.4% of TBI patients discharged to a different residential setting than preinjury.
• While many experience residential shifts, some return to their premorbid living situation.
• Individuals living alone pre-TBI experienced the most substantial residential changes, particularly within the first year post-injury.